http://www.elevenwarriors.com/users/kyle-rowland/stream/rss.xml
enBraxton Miller Being Treated Like Ace of the Staffhttp://www.elevenwarriors.com//ohio-state-football/2014/08/38403/braxton-miller-being-treated-like-ace-of-the-staff
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Replacing four starters on the offensive line. Building depth on the defensive line. Establishing a hierarchy at running back. It’s all part of the fall camp to-do list for Ohio State. So too is resting Braxton Miller.
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The calendar says August, but for the Buckeyes’ fireballer it’s March. Miller, Ohio State’s Opening Day starter, is preparing for the season as if he were Justin Verlander, Clayton Kershaw or Chris Sale. The ace of the staff is on a pitch count.
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“We’re kind of bringing him along slowly,” offensive line coach and co-offensive coordinator Ed Warinner said Wednesday. “I think we have a really good plan to get him where he needs to be Aug. 30. We definitely don’t need to rush it.”
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Head coach Urban Meyer and Miller himself have said he’s at 100 percent after offseason surgery on his throwing shoulder. But Meyer said Monday that Miller’s shoulder was sore. Two days later, he was limited throwing the football in practice. It came as a surprise even with Meyer previously saying Miller would be eased back into things.
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1em; line-height: 1.6;">During spring practice, he became an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Miller was equipped with a camera attached to a hat, and he recited the offensive and defensive plays. BraxCam allowed him to grow as a student of the game. It’s a benefit for this season, but even more important going forward to the NFL.</span>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1em; line-height: 1.6;">In a <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/104983/buckeyes-taking-it-slow-with-braxton-miller">conversation with ESPN.com</a> Wednesday, Miller scoffed at the notion that a shoulder injury could be lingering.</span>
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“I’m 100 percent, just trying to stay healthy,” he said. “I’ve got to get it back in shape. Mental reps are one of the best things you can do, so I’m not complaining.”
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Neither are backups Cardale Jones and J.T. Barrett. The duo shared first-team reps, which could prove rewarding for Ohio State. Miller’s had injury issues dating back to high school, making the No. 2 quarterback job one of importance.
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You won’t find any Ohio State coaches concerned about Miller’s status, though. He’s a soon-to-be four-year starter whose stats have improved every season. Even when Miller was carted out of Ohio Stadium two years ago, coaches didn’t show an ounce of worry.
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So, two years later, as Miller operates under the watchful eye of those paid to win football games, fans need not panic.
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“I love Braxton’s work ethic, his attitude, his mentality,” Warinner said. “His mindset is awesome. His understanding of the game is great, and his leadership has improved. We’re just letting him come along physically.
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“It’s part of the plan. There was no he got the hook in the middle of the day. It was all planned out. We’re doing that with some other guys who started a lot who are coming off injuries, just watching their volume until they build into it.”
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The release of Ohio State’s official roster is treated as a holiday in Columbus. Freshmen numbers are revealed, position changes are discovered and new weights are learned. As LeBron James drops weight, Miller is adding it – in the form of muscle.
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“He plays so hard and it’s such a collision sport and there’s so much velocity and acceleration and impact – that’s our goal is to make him increase that strength level to anticipate some of those forces or give out some of those forces,” strength coach Mickey Marotti said. “When he turns and runs up the field and he hits that guy, maybe he’s the one applying the force more than him getting knocked back.”
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Rest assured the 216-pound right-hander will be atop the Cy Young – err, Big Ten Silver Football ballot again this season. For now, though, it’s slow and steady.
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“Just bring him along like a pitcher in spring training – an inning, then two innings, then three innings,” Warinner said. “Then by the time Opening Day comes, can he pitch seven innings for you, or eight innings, or whatever you need.”
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The answer is trending toward landslide territory; a resounding yes.
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Friday, August 8, 2014 - 08:15Kyle Rowland38403Sleepless Nights on Tap for Warinnerhttp://www.elevenwarriors.com//ohio-state-football/2014/08/38357/sleepless-nights-on-tap-for-warinner
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The sunny skies that greeted Ohio State’s 2014 season on Monday turned gray Wednesday. The change of scenery could serve as a metaphor for the Buckeyes’ offensive line. Four starters are gone from a unit that helped establish a plethora of school records.
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Ed Warinner, the offensive line’s mastermind, is encouraged by his position group’s steady progression. Taylor Decker and Pat Elflein displayed winning tendencies last season, and Chad Lindsay’s arrival brings in a competitive player who’s already been around a successful culture. In a statement after his transfer was announced, Lindsay spoke of a hard-working mentality and drive to win championships. Further developing that mindset is paramount.
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“I think we’re an improved group from the spring to now,” Warinner said. “I still think we have a long way to go. The thing that’s interesting is we have a lot of different parts or pieces to choose from. We’ve got a lot more choices. We have to see who rises to the top.”
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The O-line legacy isn’t limited to the Class of 2013 – it includes names like Hicks, Pace, Lachey, Parker and Stringer. The Buckeyes returned to that level in 2012, and their aim is to keeping adding to an illustrious list of offensive linemen. A tone has been set in the offensive line meeting room: praise the past but point toward the future. It’s become abundantly clear Ohio State is keyed in on restoring their supremacy.
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“Our culture is very high effort. We’ve really taken that to heart,” senior right tackle Darryl Baldwin said during the spring. “We’re all high character guys. We just need to be very consistent. That’s what we need to be as an offensive line – develop a consistency and really play well together.
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“I know what to expect. I know what I need to do. I just need to be the best I can be. I don’t need to do anything more than that.”
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Junior center Jacoby Boren called the departing linemen “freaking awesome,” adding that you miss them, but move on and start a new foundation. Decker, who’s become the line’s elder statesman, has become a more vocal leader and opted to create a sense of urgency. It led to a competitive spring with high intensity and strong effort. It’s a trend that’s continued in the fall with the arrival of Demetrius Knox and fellow true freshman Jamarco Jones.
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“Wow. They're pretty impressive,” Warinner said.
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“What we lack is experience. But I think we’re going to have enough talent. I know we have a good work ethic. They’re tough. They train hard. We just have to get them up to speed. Experience comes from playing.”
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What they nearly lacked was Warinner himself. He’s never been a head coach, but during the offseason Army, an institution Warinner spent more than a decade at as an assistant, had a vacancy for its top job. He was ultimately passed over, saving Ohio State from an even bigger reclamation project.
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Warinner’s signature has been on each of the Buckeyes’ 24 wins during the past two seasons. There’s an awareness of the line’s importance in the overall product on offense. Players are proceeding with gusto. Meyer’s spread offense is fully understood now, and it begins with power running – not flash and speed.
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As Ohio State piled up victories, Carlos Hyde surpassed 100 yards time and again, before finally eclipsing the 1,500-yard barrier. He hit 200 yards twice and tallied at least 100 in nine consecutive games. In 2014, the offense will have a different flavor. There will be creativity in producing yards. Still, it will take a competent line.
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Sensing the need to back up those numbers, the line’s summer was spent in the Woody Hayes Athletic Center instead of lounging at the pool.
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“I feel we’re a work in progress,” junior left guard Antonio Underwood said. “Obviously, we have a lot of things we need to work on. We’re still getting better, but we’re nowhere near what we need to be or nowhere as good as last year’s offensive line. That’s the main goal – to be better or as good as last year’s offensive line. This is an offensive line-driven team.”
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Responsibilities will also center on keeping Miller upright. Offseason shoulder surgery only adds to the signal caller’s laundry list of injuries. And he’s already being limited in practice a la a pitcher and his pitch count. Health has betrayed Miller since high school, but toughness often perseveres. The idea for two years has been keeping contact to a minimum.
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But Warinner doesn’t want to inundate his newcomers with information overload. Doing your job is where he wants the focus to be. When there’s a dose of unfamiliarity, the prospects of being overwhelmed are heightened. That’s when Warinner arrives with his guidance and brusque assurance.
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“Coach Warinner never takes it easy on us. That’s what I love about him,” Boren said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re Jack Mewhort or whoever; he’s going to ride you every single day and make you better.”
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But Warinner can’t always be the spokesman. Someone must step up, unafraid of ruffling weathers with a knack for lifting teammates through ruts and inspiring greatness. It’s a duty that’s fallen on the suddenly short locks of Decker. So far, he’s drawn positive reviews.
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Decker and all his cohorts were wide-eyed when Warinner arrived. It was Decker who transitioned from rookie to veteran in two years. His respect level is omnipresent inside the locker room. He’s willing to be coached, goes hard in practice and passes on knowledge to starters and backups.
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When you’ve bought into a system and realized putting in the work leads to upbeat results, it’s easier to become that force among peers.
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“Coach Meyer has said it before – I became a good player because of the culture created in the offensive line room. I believe 100 percent in that,” Decker said. “We have a culture in that room and I either had to become better or I wasn't going to play.”
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Thursday, August 7, 2014 - 13:05Kyle Rowland38357Braxton Miller&#039;s Done Everything at Ohio State Except win a Championshiphttp://www.elevenwarriors.com//ohio-state-football/2014/08/38310/braxton-millers-done-everything-at-ohio-state-except-win-a-championship
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Braxton Miller has a closet full of personal hardware. Two Silver Footballs, multiple Big Ten offensive player of the year trophies, Ohio State team MVP. The awards go on and on. What he doesn’t have is a Big Ten championship – or a bowl victory of any kind.
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1em; line-height: 1.6;">The senior quarterback’s legacy is on firm footing. But there are still some aspects to be determined. He was flashy, productive and won games. Championships, though? That will be decided in December and onward.</span>
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“He went 12-0, but he needs a championship. I think most great players are measured by championships, whether it be the NFL, NBA or college football,” Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer said Monday. “And he knows that. You don’t have to have much of a conversation with him about that. He’s a very-intelligent guy, and he gets it.”
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The spotlight has burned brightly on Miller since he was a can’t-miss recruit in football-mad Ohio. During his courtship, Meyer’s Florida Gators became one of the leaders for Miller’s services. Ultimately, he stayed home to play for the Buckeyes. A few months later, Meyer resigned from his post in Gainesville.
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It just so happens Meyer was working for ESPN when Miller made his debut for the Buckeyes. Meyer didn’t hide his feelings that afternoon in 2011. Ohio State beat an overmatched Akron team 42-0 in what would be a losing season. Miller finished 8-of-12 passing for 130 yards with a touchdown pass against the Zips.
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“A lot of anxious people in Buckeye Nation are ready to watch this guy play,” Meyer said during the ESPN broadcast. “Dynamic player coming out of high school. I remember recruiting him myself. He was dynamic with the ball in his hands. [He was] one of the best athletes in the country last year.
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“There’s no sense in waiting on this one. Let the guy play. Find out what he can do.”
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In a losing season – the Buckeyes finished 6-7 – Miller became the focal point of the future. Through the mounting losses and frustrating play, it was Miller who provided hope for better days. And he’s delivered.
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As a true freshman, Miller completed 54 percent of his passes with 13 touchdowns four interceptions. His completion percentage has gone from 58 percent as a sophomore to 63.5 percent as a junior. Miller threw for more than 2,000 yards both seasons and combined for 39 touchdowns against just 13 interceptions. In the past two seasons, Miller is 22-2 as the starter – 26-8 in his career.
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“It’s been up and down,” Miller said. “We’re going to be remembered as a champion this year, though.”
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The confidence is admirable, and it isn’t foolish. Despite deep loses on the offensive line and in the backfield, Ohio State’s offense isn’t expected to take a big step back. The passing game is an area that’s poised to rise, thanks to Miller’s continuing progression and a veteran receiving corps. After offseason shoulder surgery, Miller’s back to 100 percent.
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“The volume is what we have to be aware of,” Meyer said. “He wasn’t as sharp [Monday]. When he got a little bit tired, he started raising his left shoulder a little bit, but he’ll be fine. His attitude is tremendous, and he’s in the best shape of his life.”
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1em; line-height: 1.6;">The burden of expectations has never fazed Miller. He was calm when he started as a freshman and he was never flustered after Ohio State fell behind by 17 points in the Big Ten Championship Game. Experience at Division I high school readied Miller for what he would face up the road in Columbus.</span>
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It’s always a win-every-game mentality for the Buckeyes, so Miller isn’t tasked with a new outlook on 2014. It just happens to be now or never. If he builds on last season, a year he was tops in the Big Ten in numerous passing categories, Ohio State could be in line for another undefeated regular season.
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“I think it’s our time coming,” Miller said. “I think this year we’ve got a grasp as a whole team. We understand what we’re doing to reach a high peak.”
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At the top of Ohio State’s quarterback mountain sits Rex Kern and Craig Krenzel, two national champions. Troy Smith is a notch lower, but still one of the most beloved players in program history. Miller has an opportunity to reach the apex. Not only could he rewrite the Ohio State record book; Miller is presented with a chance to combine all his personal triumphs into a team-earned championship.
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“I’ve met a couple of my goals,” Miller said, “but I still have a lot that sit on the table that I've got to scoop up. I have to make sure we’re going to do it this year.”
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The first series of Miller’s career was uneventful, resulting in a three-and out and featuring a poor third-down snap by Mike Brewster. That didn’t mean glimpses of stutter steps and long touchdown passes were absent.
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As Miller trotted back to the sideline, former Buckeye Chris Spielman, calling the game alongside Meyer for ESPN, said, “I can promise you this: there will be much more exciting series in Braxton Miller’s future.”
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But will there be a championship?
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Wednesday, August 6, 2014 - 08:15Kyle Rowland38310Freshman Class Already Earning Meyer&#039;s Praisehttp://www.elevenwarriors.com//ohio-state-football/2014/08/38279/freshman-class-already-earning-meyers-praise
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When Ohio State’s Champions’ Club recently convened, a rare sight unfolded in the Fawcett Center. Mingling with a group of upperclassmen were two true freshmen who have never played a down for the Buckeyes.
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Already, Raekwon McMillan and Johnnie Dixon have broken into the exclusive club. It’s not Augusta National, but Urban Meyer doesn’t offer free handouts.
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“[They earned it] in the spring,” Meyer said of the two early enrollees. “It’s rare. I don’t really think we’ve ever had freshmen in the Champions’ Club. They’re over 3.0 (GPA) students, take care of their business, act like pros, act like grown men. So we let them practice with the grown men today.”
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The morning session consisted of rookies, before the veterans gathered for an afternoon practice under sunny skies on the outdoor fields at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1em; line-height: 1.6;">McMillan and Dixon were both must-get recruits for Ohio State, the best at their respective positions. Each hails from the South, a fertile recruiting ground that supplies the nation’s best teams with talent. McMillan gives the Buckeyes much-needed support at linebacker, while Dixon adds depth at wide receiver.</span>
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Everything in Columbus is about scarlet and gray – except in Meyer’s incentive-based faction. Gold status is coveted by all, but had by few. Those who reap the rewards are served a tasty steak and potatoes dinner as the peasants eat hot dogs off paper plates.
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It’s a rank McMillan and Dixon hope to keep, and Meyer longs for more freshmen to join the upstart duo.
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A year after an <a href="http://www.elevenwarriors.com/2013/12/31228/ohio-state-football-redshirts-more-common-at-ohio-state-than-one-might-think">abnormally high amount</a> of first-year players were redshirted – 15 in all – 2014 began with promise for the rookies. Meyer stepped to the podium after practice and gushed about the 23-man freshman class.
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“I’m really impressed,” he said. “Just the body types of Dante Booker, Kyle Berger, Sam Hubbard, all the way to Noah Brown, Parris Campbell – long athletes. Then you have Marshon [Lattimore] and Erick Smith. We’re going to try and get those guys ready to play. Really good day with the young guys.”
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Impact freshmen are who Meyer recruits. He doesn’t simply want players who will turn into elite college players over time; he wants them ready-made to succeed. Last year served as a lesson when the bulk of one of the nation’s top-rated recruiting classes stood on the sidelines.
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“That’s my fault, especially on defense. I was disappointed,” Meyer said. “We had six to seven players who didn’t play who are very good players.”
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The group of didn’t-plays or played-sparingly includes Vonn Bell, Gareon Conely, Eli Apple, Mike Mitchell and Jalin Marshall. Mitchell, a five-star linebacker, <a href="http://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2014/02/33346/linebacker-mike-mitchell-transferring-ohio-state">transferred to Texas Tech</a> in the spring. The remaining quartet is expected to contribute in 2014. Or as Meyer says, “They have to.”
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1em; line-height: 1.6;">Throughout Meyer’s career, freshmen have been vital to his team’s success. In 2006, Tim Tebow and Percy Harvin helped guide Florida to a national championship. It’s an era where first-year players are advanced enough to play for college football’s best programs. Jameis Winston and Johnny Manziel won the Heisman Trophy as freshmen. During the first decade of the 2000s, there was a three-year stretch of sophomores winning the bronze stiff-arm trophy.</span>
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It’s play now, win now. And there’s reason to believe the current freshmen and beyond will enter college even more seasoned than their predecessors. A new NCAA rule allows coaches to meet with players for up to two hours per week, a change many Big Ten coaches at media days were calling a game-changer.
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“It’s awesome. We had several meetings with our freshmen [during the summer],” Meyer said. “We’re able to work with our freshmen on the field. Freshmen get homesick – every one of them. Even the ones who say they’re not, they are. It’s big to be around coaches and be able to go to the coach’s home and for us to be able to monitor their academics.”
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Names like Demetrius Knox, Curtis Samuel and Jamarco Jones stand out when scanning the 2014 recruiting class. All three – and many more – will receive and opportunity to play when Ohio State takes the field against Navy. But McMillan and Dixon are garnering the most attention.
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McMillan enters the fall with much fanfare. He’s expected to push senior Curtis Grant for the starting middle linebacker spot, and if McMillan loses that battle, playing time is still in his future.
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“He is a grown man,” Meyer said. “He handles his academics. He’s a mature guy. He has worked very hard this summer off the field to learn this game. He has leadership qualities. I’ll be disappointed if he’s not one of those big names someday at Ohio State.”
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That displeasure will extend to the entire Class of 2014 if there aren’t immediate dividends.
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Tuesday, August 5, 2014 - 14:45Kyle Rowland38279Determined Group of Buckeyes Ready to Confront Unfinished Businesshttp://www.elevenwarriors.com//ohio-state-football/2014/08/38215/determined-group-of-buckeyes-ready-to-confront-unfinished-business
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Fourth and two.
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That’s what separated Ohio State from an opportunity to play for a national championship. Twenty-four consecutive wins quickly became irrelevant. Eight months later, fourth and two is a number that’s evolved into a rallying cry.
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“It’s one of those things you have to move on from,” senior tight end and soon-to-be-captain Jeff Heuerman said. “But it’s another one of those things that you’re not going to move on from. So you just kind of harness it and try to take some positives out of it.”
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As the 2014 Buckeyes begin fall camp Monday, the focus remains on unfinished business. There are two goals yet to be attained during the Urban Meyer era: a Big Ten championship and a national title.
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“When we went 12-0 in the regular season last year, that felt great,” senior defensive lineman Michael Bennett said. ‘But those are all steps to get to what you really want. So we took steps to the door and got kicked off the porch. We need to finish that now. We need to go through that door.
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“I think that's the whole goal now this year. We know it takes each and every game. But when it finally matters to get to what we worked for, it's time to win.”
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Meyer’s been through that door twice in a career where wins have flown by like tumbleweed in the southwestern United States. At first glance, it’s easy to define Meyer’s two-year tenure at Ohio State as yet another smashing success. Upon closer examination, though, wins over Michigan are all that’s there.
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Ohio State hasn’t won a conference championship or bowl game since the 2010 season. This year is the final chance for seniors to leave a lasting legacy in Columbus, marking a renewal of met expectations. Losing consecutive games did not appear in the blueprint.
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When asked if he’d ever experienced such lowlights – two straight losses – Meyer was dumbfounded. He couldn’t speak because he didn’t know the answer. It’s a yes, most recently in 2010 when Florida lost three in a row. The Buckeyes shouldn’t face a similar streak of futility again this season; not with an offense, defense and special teams intent on setting records.
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It’s all about finishing the chase that began in August 2013.
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“This group of seniors doesn’t have that Big Ten championship and we don't have a bowl win,” Heuerman said. “Those are two things we need to accomplish this year, and we're going to do everything we can to do that.”
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The expectations don’t change with the flip of a calendar, and they aren’t altered because offensive linemen were lost or a former running back gained 1,500 yards. It’s business as usual at Ohio State. Coaches, players and fans are all thinking Big Ten championship, with an eye on an even bigger prize.
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But the “F” word – failure – will not be uttered if all objectives aren’t reached. Michigan head coach Brady Hoke has made it a point to show his dissatisfaction with the Wolverines’ lack of a Big Ten championship during his tenure, referring to each season as a failure. Meyer won’t wade into that territory.
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“Failure? I think that's a strong word,” he said. “There’s injuries, there’s issues. You’ll never see it anywhere in our facilities that the national championship is our goal. Our goal is to win the Big Ten championship. The national championship is something we’re chasing, but there are so many variables. I don’t want our players feeling like they're a failure. Some people did some magical things in that 24-game run. So I don’t use that word.”
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Instead of failure when talking about his football team, Meyer opts for the word hungry. He anticipates a group of hyenas will make up the Buckeye roster. There will be no need for motivation. And if the team develops on schedule, there will be no shortage of talent.
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1em; line-height: 1.6;">Offensive line, skill positions and the secondary all have question marks as camp commences. Priority No. 1 is always the O-line, and Meyer believes growth at the position would bode well for Ohio State’s ambitions.</span>
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“If our offensive line develops, we’ll be very good,” he said. “I’m confident, but I have a little apprehension because spring ball was not good.”
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The confidence level with the running backs, receivers and secondary is higher. All are unproven, but talented. The defensive backs and safeties will have a new look, which is a welcome sight for Meyer and anxious fans who ran out of patience in 2013.
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1em; line-height: 1.6;">“We completely blew it up,” Meyer said. “Anything associated with that is completely changed, and it had to change.”</span>
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However, images of a fourth-and-two gone wrong will not fade.
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“You’re obviously not going to wake up and forget about it,” Heuerman said. “That’s not realistic.”
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Monday, August 4, 2014 - 13:05Kyle Rowland38215Urban Meyer Sees Glimpses of the 2006 Gators in Ohio State&#039;s Defensive Linehttp://www.elevenwarriors.com//ohio-state-football/2014/08/38166/urban-meyer-sees-glimpses-of-the-2006-gators-in-ohio-states-defensive-line
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Every coach in the country talks about the value of a productive defensive line. Urban Meyer had one of the best in the past decade. The 2006 Florida defensive line pounded opponents into submission, overpowering offensive lines and rendering quarterbacks – even Heisman Trophy winners – irrelevant.
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<a href="http://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2014/08/38142/troy-smith-talks-ohio-state-braxton-miller-cfl-legacy">Troy Smith</a> and Ohio State found out the hard way.
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Meyer believes the 2014 Buckeye D-line could be just as fruitful. The likes of Derrick Harvey, Jarvis Moss and Ray McDonald could <a href="http://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2014/07/37956/amusing-bennett-focused-on-pressuring-opponents">evolve into Michael Bennett</a>, Joey Bosa and Noah Spence. For all the chatter about Meyer’s offenses, it’s defense that’s always won him championships.
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On that warm night in the desert nearly eight years ago, Smith was battered on seemingly every snap. The overwhelming Heisman winner was sacked five times, recording minus-29 rushing yards and completing just 4 of 14 passes. The 41-14 loss to Florida marked one of the darkest days in Ohio State’s proud history.
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During the 2014 season, the Buckeyes hope to inflict similar pain on Michigan State, Michigan and whatever teams they might encounter in the College Football Playoff.
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“This [line], if they all perform and stay healthy, could be at that level,” Meyer said, comparing them to the 2006 Gators. “It’s game-changers upfront.”
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The unit contains depth and is stockpiled with five-star talent. Bennett, the lone four-star recruit among the starters, thought the defensive line could have been special last season but something was missing. There were issues with playing 80 snaps per game, a trend that’s now gone with Mike Vrabel exiting for Houston.
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When asked about Bennett, who’s projected as one of the top D-linemen in the 2015 NFL Draft, Meyer commented about a tale of two seasons. In the first half, Bennett was an All-Big Ten player, Meyer said. But that changed dramatically over the final part of 2014.
</p>
<p>
“This is his last call. He could be as high as an early draft pick to a free agent,” Meyer said. “That’s up to him.”
</p>
<p>
Larry Johnson’s constructed top-flight lines for almost 20 years. The name on his hat may have changed, but the coaching technique remains untouched. Turning already high-end players into first-round draft picks is the norm for Johnson. Bennett, Bosa, Spence and others will discover that quality also traveled to Columbus.
</p>
<p>
“We have a ridiculous amount of weapons,” Bennett said. “Everyone can pass rush, everyone can stop the run.”
</p>
<p>
Braxton Miller sees the faces of Ohio State’s defensive line on a daily basis. He too is impressed with what the Buckeyes have at their disposal to harass other quarterbacks. There’s a combination of strength, acceleration and fundamentals that offensive coordinators dread.
</p>
<p>
“We want the fast players,” Meyer said.
</p>
<p>
Adolphus Washington would quality as fast. He’s also an enigma. The 6-foot-4, 288-pound lineman is moving to the interior this season. There’s an infinite amount of potential, so long as Washington’s health cooperates.
</p>
<p>
Many of the same prospects that accompany Washington into this season existed one year ago. But a groin injury sidelined him, and Bosa emerged as one of the best freshmen in the country. So Washington now finds himself inside, which enhances the pass rush.
</p>
<p>
“If he ever gets it all figured out, he could be as good as any I’ve ever had,” Meyer said. “He’s still a work in progress.”
</p>
<p>
For the first two games, Ohio State will be without Spence’s high-intensity motor due to a failed drug test. The line will miss Spence’s team-high eight sacks, but they’ll also get a sneak peek at who will be reliable when called upon. There’s no secret to Bosa’s worth. As a true freshman, he tallied 44 tackles and 7.5 sacks.
</p>
<p>
Historic numbers at Ohio State are often among the best in the nation. That notion was true in regard to Bosa’s first-year production.
</p>
<p>
Together, Bosa, Bennett, Spence and Washington form a quartet not to be taken lightly.
</p>
Sunday, August 3, 2014 - 06:00Kyle Rowland38166Uncertainty at Running Back Leads to Some Concern from Urban Meyerhttp://www.elevenwarriors.com//ohio-state-football/2014/08/38111/uncertainty-at-running-back-leads-meyer-to-show-concern
<p>
We think of football coaches as simply that – football coaches. But they are human beings, as much as people might think they’re robots programmed to read units and call out plays.
</p>
<p>
Jim Tressel holds <a href="http://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2014/05/35752/jim-tressel-remains-polarizing-youngstown-state-president">two degrees in education</a>. During his coaching career, it became apparent Tressel thought of himself as a teacher first, not a coach. Attending class, graduating players and other life lessons became equally as important as winning on the field.
</p>
<p>
Urban Meyer also has used his degree throughout a success-ridden coaching career. The psychology grad from the University of Cincinnati can motivate players to a level few coaches reach. It’s been most apparent at linebacker, which was <a href="http://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2014/07/38086/ohio-states-linebackers-no-longer-urban-meyers-favorite-punching-bag">outlined in an Eleven Warriors article </a>Friday morning. If Meyer believes on-field performance is lacking, he won’t shy away from letting his players know.
</p>
<p>
With the sudden emergence of the linebacker corps, attention has shifted to the offensive backfield. Jordan Hall and Carlos Hyde each spent time as the apple of Meyer’s eye in 2012 and 2013. Both are now gone, though, and while there are several candidates to take over the production, none are proven.
</p>
<p>
Ezekiel Elliott, Rod Smith, Bri’onte Dunn, Warren Ball and Curtis Samuel have the appearance of breakout players. But without a full season of collisions, it’s difficult to come to any conclusions. Hyde ran for more than 1,500 yards last year and scored 15 rushing touchdowns. Those are numbers you don’t merely replace with a tailback who’s shown glimpses of being a star.
</p>
<p>
“I’m a little concerned,” Meyer admitted. “I see several talented players, but for some reason they haven’t played very well. I’m honest. When someone says why isn’t a guy playing, I can give you a lot of reasons, but [number one is] he’s just not good enough to play. It’s not because he’s a freshman, sophomore, junior or senior. When you’re not playing, it’s because you’re not good enough to play.”
</p>
<p>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1em; line-height: 1.6;">That means Elliott and Samuel have reason to be confident. Elliott gained 262 yards on 30 carries as a freshman, and <a href="http://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2014/04/35142/introduction-college-football-curtis-samuel-blossoms">Samuel became an instant sensation</a> during the spring. The early enrollee has a burst of speed and durability that wasn’t expected to be showcased so quickly.</span>
</p>
<p>
<a href="http://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2014/07/38068/video-urban-meyers-mike-mike-appearance">On Mike and Mike</a>, Meyer said a starter hasn’t been named, but pointed to Elliott receiving the first opportunity when fall camp begins Aug. 4.
</p>
<p>
“He’s not the starter," he said. "He hasn’t earned it yet.”
</p>
<p>
Neither has Samuel, although it’s apparent he’ll play early and often after Meyer said the true freshman stole his heart.
</p>
<p>
But it will take more than two running backs to keep the offensive production at 2013’s record output. Life in the Big Ten isn’t about cream puffs and cake, no matter what some fan or expert says. The conference is rugged, physical and especially daunting when the calendar flips to November.
</p>
<p>
“I think we’re going to have to have somewhat of a rotation,” Meyer said. “Carlos was a 25, 30 carries-a-game type guy. We’re going to have to be more balanced. You might see us play two of those guys at the same time.”
</p>
<p>
Meyer and offensive coordinator Tom Herman prefer a 60-40 run-pass split in play calls. A new offensive line and backfield combined with a veteran quarterback and improved wide receiver corps could give the Buckeyes better opportunities to throw the football.
</p>
<p>
The Smiths, Dunns and Balls of the world have been at Ohio State for what seems like a decade. Smith is entering his senior season in “now or never” mode. He came to Columbus with praise, collecting comparisons to Eddie George with visions of becoming the Buckeyes’ next great running back.
</p>
<p>
Instead, missteps – both on and off the field – have cost him dearly. In 33 career games, he has zero starts, but holds a five-yards-per-rush average. Smith’s totals read: 83 carries for 448 yards and four touchdowns.
</p>
<p>
Dunn is an even more curious case. He burst onto the scene in 2012, and then receded to the sidelines last season with a redshirt year. Ball’s main issue has stemmed from being buried on the depth chart. Ability is not a problem. It's not for any member of the trio.
</p>
<p>
“We have three guys who have been here a couple years and haven’t played,” Meyer said. “It’s not because of Carlos Hyde. If you’re a great player, we can do something to get you on the field.
</p>
<p>
“Rod Smith is talented, he just has to put everything together. Then you have Bri’onte Dunn and Warren Ball. There’s a lot of competition. There’s no hierarchy. I anticipate midway through training camp we’ll go ahead and announce the starter.”
</p>
<p>
Throughout the month of August, Meyer, playing the role of master motivator, will revert to his UC days and dust off the psychology books, intent on rebuilding a block needed to capture a national championship.
</p>
Friday, August 1, 2014 - 13:05Kyle Rowland38111As the Song Goes, the Buckeyes Don&#039;t Give a Damn for the Whole State of Michiganhttp://www.elevenwarriors.com//ohio-state-football/2014/07/38069/as-the-song-goes-the-buckeyes-dont-give-a-damn-for-the-whole-state-of-michigan
<p>
<strong>CHICAGO –</strong> Some things never change. Even as college football traditions and rivalries have come under fire in recent years, many of the sport’s grandest rituals have remained the same.
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<p>
For Ohio State, that means a November date with a school the Buckeyes refer to as “That Team Up North.” This season, north extends another hour. Circled on calendars throughout the state of Ohio is Nov. 8, the date of Ohio State’s primetime showdown at Michigan State.
</p>
<p>
The Buckeyes are seeking revenge after the Spartans ruined yet another undefeated season last year.
</p>
<p>
“The whole state of Michigan is starting to really get on our nerves,” senior defensive lineman Michael Bennett said at Big Ten Media Days. “Used to be Michigan State was a fun little rivalry and they were a good team to play. But they’re starting to push their luck.”
</p>
<p>
The Michigan State game hasn’t superseded the game played three weeks later, but it’s evolved into a national storyline. Mark Dantonio’s engineered a resurgence in East Lansing, and the latest victim happens to be one of the nation’s top coaches – Urban Meyer – and most successful programs – Ohio State.
</p>
<p>
After 24 consecutive Ohio State wins, the balance of power in the Big Ten has tilted toward Michigan State. The Spartans finished 13-1 and ranked third in the country, champions of the Big Ten and the Rose Bowl. Both schools have raised the Big Ten’s profile, to the point that it might be the marquee game nationally on the same day – and time – as LSU-Alabama.
</p>
<p>
In Chicago, Dantonio spoke of a rivalry with three teams – Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State. When pressed on the subject, Meyer didn’t hesitate. The Buckeyes have one rivalry game, and the opponent isn’t wearing Green and White.
</p>
<p>
“That will never change,” Meyer said.
</p>
<p>
It doesn’t mean that animosity isn’t ratcheted up when the Buckeyes and Spartans play. The wound from the Big Ten Championship Game is still fresh. Jeff Heuerman and Braxton Miller believe all the pent up anger mirrors the feelings associated with Michigan. Both players have lost twice to Michigan State during their careers.
</p>
<p>
The freshman season loss to the Spartans remains one of Miller’s worst games. Ohio State had 178 yards of offense, and Miller finished 5-of-10 passing for 56 yards with zero touchdowns and an interception. He had minus-27 rushing yards after being sacked a handful of times.
</p>
<p>
“Ever since my freshman year, it’s like, ‘Wow, we have two rivalry games,’” Miller said. “But this season is a night game, and night games are my deal. It’s going to be show time, go time.”
</p>
<p>
Miller isn’t the only quarterback that recognizes the budding rancor between the schools, whether it’s football, basketball or the fanbases. Connor Cook, the hero of the Spartans’ 2013 campaign, is from Ohio. Growing up in the Buckeye State, Cook saw Ohio State dominate the rivalry.
</p>
<p>
But since he arrived up north, the tables have turned. Michigan State is 2-1, with the lone loss coming by one point. In those three years, there were cries of recruiting impropriety and national championship hopes dashed, stoking the rivalry flame into a full simmer.
</p>
<p>
For Cook, there’s a personal aspect to it. He was lightly recruited by the Buckeyes and even after defeating Miller and Co. last season, he enters 2014 with little respect. Miller is still the pre-season first-team all-conference quarterback and the guy who’s garnering all the Heisman attention.
</p>
<p>
But the Walsh Jesuit grad admits he likes the underdog role. After all, it’s a position he’s starred in dating to high school.
</p>
<p>
“I don’t read articles,” Cook said. “I don’t care what people say. Last year, we got no respect and still continued to win each and every week. We could win the Rose Bowl, the Big Ten championship and a national championship, and we still wouldn’t get the respect we deserve. But it’s out of my control.
</p>
<p>
“Personally, I like being an underdog. I think we handled that well last year. I like being in that situation, and I think the guys on the team like being in that spot, too.”
</p>
<p>
Not everyone thinks Michigan State is the underdog. Sure, Ohio State is the overwhelming favorite to win the Big Ten, according to a media poll conducted by Cleveland.com. But the clear No. 2 is Michigan State. And the Spartans are attracting considerable national attention.
</p>
<p>
In the Grand Ballroom at the Chicago Hilton, it was Dantonio, not Dr. Richard Kimble, who believed he was in a precarious position. That thought came from visions of being the hunted instead of the hunter. It will be most perilous in Spartan Stadium the second Saturday of November when the Buckeyes come to town.
</p>
<p>
Cook, while discussing the atmosphere, used the words “electric,” hyped” and “intense.”
</p>
<p>
Heuerman, a Floridian Buckeye tight end, may be from the south, but he was a junior hockey star in Michigan and his dad played basketball for the Wolverines. So he’s well versed in Spartan hatred.
</p>
<p>
“Last year they kept us from winning [the Big Ten championship],” Heuerman said. “Anytime you lose a championship game it heightens the rivalry.”
</p>
<p>
Both teams still believe Michigan is their biggest rival, but as the Wolverines fade into obscurity and mediocrity, the Buckeyes and Spartans are seizing the spotlight together, keeping alive Ohio and Michigan acrimony.
</p>
<p>
Said Cook, on the Ohio State-Michigan State conflict: “The games have always been so close, but we respect them. I think they respect us and we respect them.”
</p>
Thursday, July 31, 2014 - 13:05Kyle Rowland38069Urban Meyer, LeBron James Relationship a Benefit for Ohio Statehttp://www.elevenwarriors.com//ohio-state-football/2014/07/38016/urban-meyer-lebron-james-relationship-a-benefit-for-ohio-state
<p>
<strong>CHICAGO –</strong> Before anyone ever cared where Urban Meyer would coach football, he was a kid from Northeast Ohio. It’s where he walked. It’s where he ran. It’s where he cried. It’s where he bled. It holds a special place in his heart.
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<p>
After 24 years away from his home state, Meyer opted to return. And he wasn’t just stepping inside the state borders, he was tasked with leading the team of his childhood.
</p>
<p>
As a boy, Meyer watched Woody Hayes-coached Ohio State intently. The Michigan game was treated as a holiday in Ashtabula, a Rust Belt town tucked into the northeast corner of the state. When it came time for Meyer to pick a number for football, it was a no-brainer: 45.
</p>
<p>
He had the same mindset in November 2011. Meyer knew when the Ohio State job came open the decision wouldn’t be difficult. He was hit with a wave of emotion and sentimental memories.
</p>
<p>
“I don’t think I would’ve coached – not that year,” Meyer said at Big Ten Media Days. “There’s just something about knowing [Ohio State] since I was [a young boy].”
</p>
<p>
Meyer didn’t announce his triumphant return to Ohio with a <a href="http://www.si.com/nba/2014/07/11/lebron-james-cleveland-cavaliers">thoughtfully penned letter</a> like LeBron James would do more than two years later. But the reaction around the state was equally as positive. The cheering extended from Cleveland to Cincinnati, Toledo to Youngstown.
</p>
<p>
Columbus also rejoiced. James has become an ardent Ohio State supporter, saying multiple times that he would have been a Buckeye if he chose to attend college. Unless, of course, he played football at Notre Dame.
</p>
<p>
“I recruited him, but they made fun of me because I didn’t know who he was,” Meyer said of James, who starred on the football field as a wide receiver at Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary.
</p>
<p>
The story goes that Meyer, then an assistant at Notre Dame and unaware of James’s basketball prowess, offered him a scholarship. When fellow coaches chided Meyer, he asked why all the razzing took place.
</p>
<p>
“He’ll be the next Michael Jordan,” they told Meyer.
</p>
<p>
He didn’t believe them. Now, Meyer’s well aware of the greatness James exudes.
</p>
<p>
“I offered him a scholarship. He should’ve taken it,” Meyer joked. “He’d be in a much better place right now if he would have played receiver for me at Notre Dame.”
</p>
<p>
Instead, James opted for the NBA. He’s become one of the greatest basketball players of all-time, winning four MVPs and two Finals. Even though the one-time scrawny wide receiver receive didn’t sign with Notre Dame, it doesn’t mean the two power players don’t enjoy a friendship.
</p>
<p>
When Ohio State hired Meyer, James took to Twitter to offer his approval. James attended the Wisconsin game last season, even delivering a pre-game speech. Meyer said Tuesday that <a href="http://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2014/07/37983/urban-meyer-wants-lebron-james-at-every-ohio-state-game">James has a field pass</a> for games, joking that he texted James and told him to be at all seven home games.
</p>
<p>
“It’s big. He means a lot in recruiting,” Meyer said. “You can’t measure the positive feeling of him standing on the sideline for an Ohio State game. He truly loves Ohio State.”
</p>
<p>
Braxton Miller said recruits get so caught up in the LeBron hoopla when he visits that they forgot about the action on the field.
</p>
<p>
“They’re like, ‘Really, man, LeBron is here?’” Miller said. “They’re so shocked and surprised they forget about us playing the game that night. LeBron was missed in Ohio.
</p>
<p>
“It’s good [having him around]. He always wants to come to our games, he’s always tweeting about the Buckeyes. It gives us motivation to be great because he’s one of the greatest ever. You want to go out there and dominate the game.”
</p>
<p>
<a href="http://www.elevenwarriors.com/2013/09/25488/photo-tour-of-ohio-states-new-basketball-facility">James has his own locker</a> in the basketball locker room, which serves as another recruiting tool. The biggest boost he can provide is simply hanging around the program. It’s free advertising that includes the most popular player in the all of sports.
</p>
<p>
Tight end Jeff Heuerman, a Naples native, said his allegiance is tied with LeBron, not the nearby Miami Heat. If James could suit up for the Buckeyes, Heuerman is the person who would find his starting spot in jeopardy. Asked about James’s playing potential, Meyer and Miller lit up and spoke of the endless potential.
</p>
<p>
“He’d be an incredible H-back/tight end,” Meyer said. “He’s still got four years of eligibility left. If he wants to come train with us, he’s good.”
</p>
<p>
Said Miller: “He’s a freak. He’s got a skill set certain people don’t have.”
</p>
<p>
Perhaps James’s most powerful tool is his ability to bring people together and create progress outside of basketball. The evidence is greatest in his hometown of Akron and throughout the rest of Northeast Ohio. By simply playing for the Cavs, James will trigger a chain reaction of economic expansion.
</p>
<p>
Tickets sold, jersey sales, restaurant business. It all links back to LeBron. He’s been generous with charities and his alma mater, St. Vincent-St. Mary. In his letter, James mentioned his hope that the region would flip its recent bad luck and return to the glory days when factories made the entire Rust Belt a financial hub.
</p>
<p>
It was a time when a young Urban Meyer was playing football and baseball on the shores of Lake Erie.
</p>
<p>
“I read about the economic impact and that the positive feelings are off the charts in Northeast Ohio, and I think that’s great,” Meyer said. “That’s where I’m from. <span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1em; line-height: 1.6;">It’ll be interesting to see the economic recovery and spirit in Cleveland the next couple years.</span>
</p>
<p>
“Every chance I can, I brag about where I grew up. Every Sunday, when we could, we would go to Browns games. I was a big Cavs fan, I went to Indians games. The Indians told me they were going to draft me in the first round in 1982. They didn’t. I was crushed.”
</p>
<p>
Meyer settled for throwing out the ceremonial first pitch two decades later.
</p>
<p>
He learned during his formative years that nothing is given in Northeast Ohio. Everything is earned. You work for what you have.
</p>
<p>
Meyer accepted the challenge. He is home.
</p>
Wednesday, July 30, 2014 - 08:15Kyle Rowland38016Geography Creates Loaded Big Ten East Divisionhttp://www.elevenwarriors.com//college-football/2014/07/37992/geography-creates-loaded-big-ten-east-division
<p>
<strong>CHICAGO –</strong> Indiana. Maryland. Rutgers. Not quite Leaders or Legends when it comes to all-time great college football programs.
</p>
<p>
But those three schools are now slotted in one of the sport’s toughest divisions – the up and coming Big Ten East.
</p>
<p>
Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State and Penn State round off the vaunted group, perhaps marking a flashback to supremacy for the Big Ten. Geographic divisions have formed a powerhouse in the East and a wide-open West. Urban Meyer likened the looming grind of the Big Ten East to what he faced for six years in the SEC.
</p>
<p>
If Ohio State advances to the first ever College Football Playoff, it will have earned it. The Buckeyes play at Penn State and Michigan State – both at night – before a possible four-game string of Michigan, Big Ten championship and two playoff games.
</p>
<p>
“It’s one of the toughest divisions in college football,” Meyer said at Big Ten Media Days Monday. “I hope that happens, but that’s a tough road. It’s a rugged conference. We’re going to do our best to be prepared for it.”
</p>
<p>
Meanwhile, the West has five teams that could legitimately represent the division in Indianapolis. Wisconsin and Iowa, two favorites, don’t play Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State or Penn State.
</p>
<p>
Go figure.
</p>
<p>
It’s the new reality in the conference, something SEC programs have faced for two decades. When divisions are split and the number of teams grows, there will be long gaps in series and favorable schedules.
</p>
<p>
As the East grew into the theme of media days, Wisconsin head coach Gary Andersen is of the belief the West is dealing with a lack of respect. But if the Badgers can sneak under the radar and enter the Big Ten Championship Game with little fanfare, you won’t find him complaining.
</p>
<p>
“We’re all going to put our helmets on and go out on play,” Andersen said. “That will define this year’s teams. So to sit here now and say this division is this and this division is that based off traditions of a school, I don't buy that. There’s tremendous tradition on both sides. We’ll all fight it out in the defining moment and we’ll see who’s who.”
</p>
<p>
Andersen expanded, saying there are no easy games in the Big Ten while sniping at pundits who think the conference is full of glorified bye weeks.
</p>
<p>
“I’ll debate that with you as much as you want to debate it because you better strap it on and be ready every week in the Big Ten,” he said.
</p>
<p>
Indiana head coach Kevin Wilson agrees, especially since he drew the short end of the geography stick and must face the four power programs. The Hoosiers have improved of each of Wilson’s three seasons in Bloomington, but bowl eligibility has remained elusive. In the Big Ten, they haven’t been able to win the 50/50 games that marginal teams must capture to separate themselves from mediocrity.
</p>
<p>
Now Indiana will have four games on its schedule each season that are almost certain losses. Still, it hasn’t dampened Wilson’s spirit. He thinks there are recruiting advantages and opportunities to grow Indiana football into a perennial winner.
</p>
<p>
“We're excited to be part of the Big Ten East,” Wilson said. “We’re really excited with the opportunity with Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State, Maryland and Rutgers and the East brand growing.”
</p>
<p>
That brand is one reason why the conference grew by two teams and significantly eastward. Rutgers and Maryland offer the Big Ten a footprint in two cities – New York and Washington – where the league was previously nonexistent. It means piles of cash and more eyeballs on the Big Ten.
</p>
<p>
Ask Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith to expound on expansion, and he’ll openly admit money was the impetus. But he and conference commissioner Jim Delany don’t believe there will be an imbalance issue for the coming years. Sports have a way of working out the kinks, with cycles of dominance coming and going.
</p>
<p>
“We’ve had nine different teams play in the Rose Bowl [since 1990],” Delany said. “I’ve seen the strength of teams ebb and flow. The SEC has been doing their divisions for 22 or 23 years, and for a longtime the East was dominant and then the West was dominant.”
</p>
<p>
Even players have taken notice to the divisional lineup. In a 24/7 news cycle with information at their fingertips, they’ve read Twitter and know what lies ahead. Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner called the East “high-intensity.” Michigan State safety Kurtis Drummond acknowledged the amount of difficult games, but said he’s only focused on Jacksonville State, an FCS team the Spartans open with.
</p>
<p>
“Obviously our rivalry with Michigan is intense for us, but we've also got a rivalry with Ohio State from the past and Penn State,” said Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio. “So those things exist for us. I think it’s going to be a tough division. There’s no question about that.”
</p>
<p>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1em; line-height: 1.6;">For the second consecutive season, it’s a tad tougher for Michigan, who must travel to East Lansing once again. It’d an oddity that occurred due to Rutgers and Maryland joining the conference and schedules being rearranged. But Hoke isn’t complaining.</span>
</p>
<p>
“Who cares? You’re going to play 12 football games, right?” he said. “When those decisions are made, embrace it. If not, you’re going to make excuses, and we, rightfully, don’t believe in excuses.
</p>
<p>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1em; line-height: 1.6;">“All want to do is we want to compete. We want to compete on every Saturday. So as far as we’re concerned, we’re looking forward to [playing in the East].”</span>
</p>
<p>
For at least one season, Dantonio and Co. will consider themselves the Beasts of the East. Conference titles are welcomed, but Dantonio is aware of the danger that lurks behind.
</p>
<p>
“I think we’re a little bit more of the hunted,” he said. “That’s a good place to be, but it’s also a very precarious place to be.”
</p>
Tuesday, July 29, 2014 - 14:47Kyle Rowland37992